Method and means for using low-compression fuels



Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS MIDGLEY, JR., OF DAYTON,. OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

METHOD AND MEANS FOR USING LOW-COMPRESSION FUELS.

No Drawing.

To (1 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS MIDGLEY, J r., a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Means for Using Low-Compression Fuels, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to the art of suppressing a fuel knock when a combustible gaseous mixture containing a low compression fuel such, for example, as kerosene and gasoline is burned under a relatively high pressure. The principal object of this invention is to employ antimony compounds to suppress the fuel knock.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 553.270, filed April 15, 1922.

Kerosene has a critical compression pressure of about 55 pounds. The critical compression pressure of gasoline varies from about 75 pounds for'the commoner'forms now marketed to about 125 pounds for aviation gasoline employed in airplane engines. These fuels are termed low compression fuels. \Vhen the Vapors of any one of them is mixed with air, compressed to a compression pressure in excess of the normalcritical compression pressure of the fuel, and burned, as in an internal-combustion engine, a fuel knock is produced.

I have found that vapors of antimony compounds added to the fuel-air mixture suppress this fuel knock and permit an increase in the engine compression pressure \fvltlll a normal burning characteristic of the llC By way of an example of one method of carrying out my invention, I dissolve 150 grams of triphenyl stibine Sb(C,H,,), in 1 Application filed September 18, 1923. Serial No. 663,497.

The gasoline forms the fuel base and the antimony compound increases the critical compression pressure of this base.

This process may be varied by changing the proportions according to the increase in critical compression pressure desired and by using other antimony compounds in place of the triphenyl stibine. Liver of antimony may be substituted for triphenyl stibine but its knock suppressing effect is relatively small as contrasted with that of the diphenyl stibine.

I prefer to employ the antimony compounds which are soluble in the fuel to romote the mixing of the tw0.- Blen ing agents may be-employed if the antimony compound does not dissolve readily in the fuel. The compound may be added to the fuel-air mixture just before the latter is burned.

I claim:

1. A composition of matter comprising a low compression fuel; and volatile antimony compound incorporated therein and adapted to increase the critical compression pressure of the fuel.

2. A composition of matter comprising gasoline; and triphenyl stibine.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

THOMAS MIDGLEY, J a. 

